As the 2020–21 NBA season is coming to an end and we enter the final stages of playoffs, we have something else to look forward to — the NBA Draft is on July 29th. And the Detroit Pistons won the sought-after No.1 pick.
Unlike the NFL, where the team with the worst results gets the No.1 pick, the NBA uses a lottery system, with all teams having a certain probability of getting the pick. So finishing last in the previous season doesn’t guarantee the top selection.
The three worst teams, Houston, Detroit, and Orlando, all have a 14% probability of landing No.1, and the next two, Oklahoma City and Cleveland, have an 11.5% chance. Only the 14 teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs are eligible for the top picks.
In case you’re not aware of what the draft is, we will explain. Each year, the NBA teams select top-performing athletes from the NCAA who were recruited from high schools.
College athletes must declare they want to enter the draft and enter a combine, where they perform tests, physical challenges, drills, and much more. NBA representatives will watch them, and their results will directly affect their draft pick, contract, and perception.
So, what are some of the predictions, now that we know the draft order? We should point out that Golden State Warriors, one of the NBA’s most valuable teams, and Orlando get two picks in the top 15 due to trades.
Let’s take a look at the top ten predictions:
- Detroit Pistons — Cade Cunningham, PG, Oklahoma State
- Houston Rockets — Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite
- Cleveland Cavaliers — Evan Mobley, C, USC
- Toronto Raptors — Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Gonzaga
- Orlando Magic — Jonathan Kuminga, SF/PF, G League Ignite
- Oklahoma City Thunder — Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, Florida State
- Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota) — Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor
- Orlando Magic (from Chicago) — Keon Johnson, SG, Tennessee
- Sacramento Kings — Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
- New Orleans Pelicans — Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga
While we might not exactly know who will be picked No.1 or what trades might occur at the last moment, one thing is for sure — the NBA Draft is not to be missed. So tune in on July 29th to see it all unfold.
